The Child Study interdisciplinary major combines a variety of academic and field experiences that are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their own developmental history and their sensitivity to the diversity of developmental contexts and pathways. It focuses on understanding children (birth through adolescence) and their families from a variety of perspectives. This program prepares students to work with children and families in a range of social service or educational settings. Child Study is an approved major for students interested in teaching at the early childhood or elementary levels. To be eligible for a Connecticut teaching license, students must also complete Teacher licensure .

Program outcomes

The student will:

Understand children in the context of their family, society, and culture

Appreciate multiple and interacting influences on development

Be aware of diverse pathways to developmental competence

Apply research, theory, and objective observation to work with children

These objectives are integrated throughout the Child Study interdisciplinary major:

Individuals, families, societies and cultures: To know and understand the dynamic interrelationship of children, families, society, and culture, including:

Theory: To understand the development and implications of theoretical perspectives, including:

Theories as socio-cultural and historic constructs

Knowledge and applications of major theories of child development

Research: To be intelligent consumers and generators of research, including:

Knowledge and understanding of research methods

Criteria for evaluating research

Participation in action research related to children and families

Skills: To develop and demonstrate communicative and experiential skills, including:

Interpersonal and collaborative skills

Oral and written communication

Observation and data collection

Library research

Critical thinking and analysis

Laboratory schools

The Child Study major benefits from two laboratory schools that offer opportunities for on-site observations, field work, and independent study. They are the School for Young Children, near the campus, and the Gengras Center, an on-campus school for children with special needs.

Admission and continuation requirements

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 to be accepted into the Child Study major. Child Study majors are required to maintain a GPA of 2.7 or better throughout their academic program.